By Kaitlin Klein
When I’m walking through the hospital hallways with my music therapy cart full of instruments and music books, I often hear, “Look, the entertainment!” “Where are you entertaining today?!” “A one-man band!” “Do you really just go around entertaining patients?” I’m sure these people don’t realize that their comments can come off as insulting; I didn’t attend college for four years and complete a six-month internship and pass the board exam and keep up with continuing education requirements just so I can entertain people. For the record, music therapists don’t entertain but are always focused on addressing the needs and goals of patients, in a variety of ways, using music.
There’s another context in which the word “entertain” rubs me the wrong way: in association with the Mass. The pastor at my parish said during a recent homily, “Some people come to Mass nowadays and say, ‘entertain me!’” This saddens me; what an insignificant demand to place on a sacrament, let alone the source and summit of our faith. I know many Catholics today are attending Mass less and less, or even leaving the church, perhaps for a denomination with a stage and big screens and disco ball ... a church more “entertaining.”
If we are fully engaged, fully participate, and truly know the significance of each and every part of the Mass, I say it is impossible to be bored. I wouldn’t call the experience of giving and receiving and the deep encounter with Jesus during Mass “entertainment,” but something higher and deeper, better and more desirable, more fulfilling and lasting. This reminds me of a thought by St. Josemaria Escriva: “‘Have a good time tonight,’ they said as usual. And the comment of a soul very close to God was, ‘What a limited wish!’” (The Way, number 228) Whoa—this quote nearly gives me chills, and St. Josemaria wasn’t even talking about the Mass, but simply everyday life! If life, in general, is about so much more than having a good time, then the Mass certainly is too.
To deepen one’s understanding of the Mass, I highly recommend Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper.” It helped me become even more excited to immerse myself fully in the sacrament and to witness the profound work of God that happens at each and every Mass. There are other resources as well (including your parish priest!) to help answer questions, explain the meanings of various parts of the Mass, and relate the significance of rituals to scripture. Some other suggestions (in my humble opinion): participate (this includes singing, and praying every prayer—whether through spoken word or song), listen, engage, respond, focus, open your heart.
That’s what the Lord is waiting for—and he’ll be thrilled to fill your body, mind and soul.